What can I expect ?

[Reloader]

I sent a used engine controller to PCM for less to be reprogramed and retuned. It came out of a v8 Impala. They told me if the service
numbers are the same that it is compatable with my truck. Yesterday I installed an Airdoc Cai and I already have a custom built dual
exhaust system with a Magnaflow muffler and dual tailpipes. My biggist gripe is the constant 4-3 downshift/upshift on a slight uphill grade with
the cruise engaged. An improvement in mpg would be a bonus also. Some of you guys must have close to the same upgrades as mine so
what types of improvements have you experienced? I'm also running 35in tyres. Also who's a good source for a synthetic winch line?
Any opinions on the various brands of aftermarket air filters?
Thanks... Steve

 

[SolidusJ]

After my PMC tune and PMC E-fan on my 09 I5, my MPG went down from 15 MPG to 13 MPG. As for the down shifting part did you send you transmission computer as well to get re-flash? I didn't know it but you have to send the PCm and tran computer at the same time. The take offs feels great and I can hit 100 mph and it better then the stage 2 JETS chip I had.

Upgrades I have
-Heat Wraped Header
-K&N Intake System
-Jet High Flow Mass Air Flow Sensor
-Spectre Ram Air Tube
-Flowmaster 44 Exhaust
-Ac Delco Iridium Spark Plugs
-Black OEM Steel Wheels
-285/75/16 Dueler A/T Revo
-TRUXXX Shock Extenders
-PCM Tune
-PCM E-fan Kit
-Tsunami Battery Terminal

 

[Reloader]

They never mentioned sending the trans controller when I called them to find out about sending a used engine controller for programing.
I need to call them on Monday to see if they received the pcm and I'll ask about that. Right now I'm getting 12 to 14 mpg around town
and 14 to 15mpg driving very conservetive like on the highway. that means 55 to 60 mph or less.

 

[Paladine71]

Reloader, do you have an alpha or I5?

 

[Reloader]

Paladine, how ya doing? Mines an alpha with a hybrid emblem on the back to mess with the prius owners. There is a ****load of them around here
in the peoples Republic of Madison. Can't back up without almost running over one.

 

[3Hummers]

Most parking lots out here look like Toyota dealerships. I ordered the PCM4less for our 08 Alpha but haven't had a chance to install it. I have the stock exhaust and air intake but am running 35" tires. Looking forward to the new shift points and hopefully a little better mpg. I'll let you know how it does after I do the install.

 

[H3-ING]

SolidusJ is correct. You need to send in the TCM also to adjust the shift points for an automatic trans.

 

[M22KLARS]

Say what? Really? I never sent mine.

 

[H3-ING]

Say what? Really? I never sent mine.

Per the website. To clarify yes for 2008+. I sent mine in.

http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?option=/com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=79

 

[3Hummers]

I did not send mine in nor did they ask me too even though I indicated I wanted my shift points adjusted.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

Also who's a good source for a synthetic winch line?

www.winchline.com
or
www.masterpull.com

 

[H3-ING]

I did not send mine in nor did they ask me too even though I indicated I wanted my shift points adjusted.

:no:
Dave that stinks,
Kelly shouldn't charge to flash the TCM since you already paid, but what a pain to ship it in again.

 

[Paladine71]

Here is what I'm running...

2008 Alpha
AirDoc Intake
K&N Air Filter
Safari Snorkel with Sy-Klone (don't know how this affects things)
PCM/TCM Tune from PCMforless
PCMforless E-Fan
Magnaflow Dual Catback Exhaust
35" KM2s

I have a ton of power and it takes off really quick. I haven't put it up on a dyno yet, but have no complaints for power or acceleration. I barely step on the gas for most driving. I haven't measured the mpg, but there is a definite improvement from before the mods. The only real complaint is the fan noise is a little more than I'd prefer, but it does the job of moving air quickly. My round trip to work is about 18 miles through a bunch of red lights on fairly level terrain. In the summer I would use about 1/4 tank of gas for 5 days of driving that distance (so around 15.6 mpg with several starts and stops). In the winter, it's a little worse, but not too much. I'm happy with the mods that I have, though I am planning on trying the Pulstar AD1I spark plugs too.

One more thing, I stay fully packed for emergencies, which is a lot of weight.

 

[Reloader]

I called PCM for less this morning and you are right , I need to send the TCM in also. Luckly they have cores so I just paid the core charge of $75
and I should have both controllers later this week.
Thanks to all.

 

[SolidusJ]

More then happy to help I have the stage 2 shift points, what are you getting?

 

[alrock]

I called PCM for less this morning and you are right , I need to send the TCM in also. Luckly they have cores so I just paid the core charge of $75
and I should have both controllers later this week.
Thanks to all.

Good to know. I guess that wasn't necessary on the pre-08 trucks so it is good to know now so we can help future buyers of the pcmforless tunes.

 

[Reloader]

More then happy to help I have the stage 2 shift points, what are you getting?

I believe I went with stage 1 shift points.

 

[4speedfunk]

I'm not sure but, I think certain years have the trans & motor functions on the same chip. My 08-5cyl has separate motor & tranny chips...I sent them both to PCM4less. Got em back in 3-days.

After the reinstall, it was peppier in the idle-to-2000 range...but, it still suffered from awful highway performance...hunting, downshifting, revving thru the roof, etc. Even with the tranny tune and speedo correction...there simply isn't enough motor to pull 35" tires with 4.56 gears. It wasn't bad around town and off-road but interstate travel with any sort of grade was downright annoying. So...apart she comes! 5.13s are already installed and 37"s are planned. This combo should put my gearing back very close to stock. I'll be sending the chips back in for another re-tune and re-flash...hopefully I can get 0-60 down to something under ten minutes.

P.S. I'm curious if the common "tranny-fluid-in-the-coolant" issue that some H3 owners have, is due to the tranny tune. Firmer shifts means increased line pressure...perhaps too much for the cooler inside the radiator?

 

[Reloader]

ECM and TCM came back today . UPS delivered them to my front door about 230 pm. Will try to install Thurs morn and do CASE and security relearns with a Tec-2
I have available to me. Will report back with first impressions.

 

[Reloader]

Thursday morning I aired up the tires to 45 PSI , filled the tank and drove 30 miles out and 30 miles back to same fuel stop. It was a 4 lane highway and I set the cruise at 59 mph and left it there. The mileage came out to 16.7mpg. this is before the PCM for less installs. I did the numbers 3 times to be sure.
Went home and installed both the PCM and the TCM. Truck started and ran without a security relearn but cel was on. Plugged in Tec-2 , code for CASE relearn in PCM.
Performed case relearn and checked all other modules, no codes stored, cel is off, all appears ok. What a difference in performance. Much peppier, crisper trans shifts,
but speedo reads 2 mph higher than actual instead of 5 mph lower like before. I guess that means it will be spot on for 37in tires.
Today I will rerun the exact same mileage test run after I put a few more miles on so the PCM can learn.

 

[cbetts]

P.S. I'm curious if the common "tranny-fluid-in-the-coolant" issue that some H3 owners have, is due to the tranny tune. Firmer shifts means increased line pressure...perhaps too much for the cooler inside the radiator?

The trans oil pressure will be the same since it is generated by the engine turning the pump inside the tranny. The reprogram just make the valves respond quicker. It it actually better for your trans to shift quicker since it reduces the amount of time the clutches slip, creating less friction and heat.

For some reason, auto manufacturers keep putting the trans cooler inside the radiator. I have never been a big fan of putting engine heat back into my trans and have always put in an external tranny cooler. I have overheated several trannys with normal driving up 6% grades prior to putting in external coolers.

 

[Reloader]

I finally was able to rerun my test route for a mileage test. Exact same run and refill at same location. I wanted to wait till no wind so conditions would be close to the same. The speedo is off more at highway speed than lower speeds. 65 indicated is 61 actual going off the GPS unit. So using the same miles traveled as before ,I lost
1.5 mpg. Truck definately runs stronger and trans shifts more to my liking. I may swap back to oe engine controller and leave reflashed trans controller and rerun test.